Insects are in serious danger. Insect populations have decreased by 76 percent in nearly 30 years, according to a new study.
Researchers from Germany recently conducted an experiment, published in PLOS One, to determine how much populations had declined and why.
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To do so, they measured the total flying insect biomass, the weight of the insect catch, by using tent-like nets called Malaise traps. Those were deployed in 63 nature protection areas in Germany over the course of 27 years.
After analyzing the results, they found that flying insect biomass had decreased by 76 percent and up to 82 percent in the summers during the time of the study.
In fact, the scientists say their findings suggest “the entire flying insect community has been decimated over the last few decades,” the study read.
Scientists noted the drop occurred regardless of the habitat type, but changes in weather, land use and habitat characteristic were not the reason.
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Despite the unknown explanation, researchers say the dip is “alarming” as the disappearance of “field margins and new crop protection” have both been associated with insect decline.
“Loss of insect diversity and abundance is expected to provoke cascading effects on food webs and to jeopardize ecosystem services,” the study read.
That’s why researchers hope to continue their studies to pinpoint the exact cause and ways to prevent it.
“There is an urgent need to uncover the causes of this decline,” the study said, “its geographical extent, and to understand the ramifications of the decline for ecosystems and ecosystem services.”
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